Blog posts

Last month saw the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and the Association of Event Venues (AEV) come together to deliver the first-ever UK CEO Summit at Stoke Park on the 31st October 2019.

The objective? To build a framework of mutual cooperation between organisers and venues, to enrich the customer experience, preserve their businesses and see growth for all.

An AEO International Dinner discussion about the Mexican exhibition industry

On a very autumnal, windy and rainy, Monday night in London, the AEO International Organisers Group brought members of the exhibition industry together to discuss far more temperate shores. It was our regular International Dinner, this time, focused on Mexico. 

We recently sponsored the AEO Conference, where organisers, venues and suppliers from the events industry came together to learn, share ideas, and network.

This Conference brought something different to the table with the “It’s a Knockout” interactive session, encompassing penguin suits, giant costumes, wet slides and medieval madness to name a few.

But is it enough to turn the tide of government opinion?

Even as Brexit looms and geopolitics continue to throw us all into a spin, the events industry shows no sign of wavering.

In fact, with a reported £11 billion economic impact and over 1000 exhibitions taking place up and down the UK, the industry has never felt more resilient or been more resolved to achieve necessary representation at government level.

Personalisation has become a key factor in the events industry. How can organisers ensure each attendee has an experience which is tailored to their needs, and is relevant to them? Even when it is a small event, it can be difficult. So how can you do it for a conference of hundreds, or even thousands of people?

Last week, I proudly took on my first official act as Chairman of the AEO International Organisers Group, guiding an AEO International Dinner.

The International Dinners are an exhibition industry networking event, focused on a particular geography, in this instance the USA. The International Organisers Group began these dinners to bring people together to talk about the opportunities, and gather market knowledge, of a particular country or region.